Driving in Costa Rica vs. Ireland: Key Differences Revealed
Discover the unique road rules and regulations between Costa Rica and Ireland, crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Costa Rica versus the left in Ireland, varied speed limits, and differing overtaking practices. Understanding these variations can significantly enhance your driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Costa rica | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
ireland:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
costa rica:
Yes
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
ireland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
ireland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
costa rica:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
ireland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
ireland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
ireland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
ireland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
ireland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
ireland:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
ireland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| Costa rica | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
costa rica:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
costa rica:
Signal when exiting
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Turns
| Costa rica | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
ireland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Random breath testing is common. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
ireland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Recommended
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot